The Thrill of the Fight 2 brings the series back for round two – and it might pack a hefty punch

Compared to previous generations, boxing has taken a backseat to mixed martial arts within mainstream popular culture outside of exhibition matches or the Olympics. For flat-screen gamers, the only way to experience exciting science digitally is with Undisputed. Meanwhile, boxing has found a good home in the world of virtual reality. This includes Credo: Rise to Glory, Knockout League, Mechanical League: Boxingand what many consider to be the gold standard, The thrill of combat.

Developed by Ian Fitz of Sealost Interactive in 2016 for Steamthe game was praised for its sophisticated boxing engine, which allowed users to climb the ranks and become champions. In the end, The thrill of combat became even more popular after the release of the original Meta Quest in 2019. Keen to create an ambitious and expansive sequel, Fitz is working with Fruit Ninja And Jetpack Joyride Developed by Halfbrick Studios for Thrill of Combat 2.

One thing that fans of the original will long appreciate is Fitz’s commitment to interacting with the gaming community through daily interactions with fans on Discord and Reddit. “I’m there every day, talking to the fans, hearing what they think,” Fitz says. “They know what they want, and we listen to every suggestion, every feedback.” This level of interaction with fans of the game guarantees The Thrill of Combat 2 continues to respond to the changing needs of the community while attracting newcomers.

Before the boxing simulator VR game coming out in early access Meta Quest 2 And Meta Quest 3 On November 21, 2024, I had to play several matches with the developers. I left with the understanding that Thrill of Combat 2 is making serious moves to maintain his status as a VR boxing champion.

Screenshot from VR game Thrill of the Fight 2

(Image courtesy of Halfbrick Studios)

Skating with kicks

The thrill of combat presents relatively simple boxing mechanics. Much of this was based on a force control system in which the speed of the controller determined the force of the blows. The combat engine now removes the force adjustment system and takes other factors into account when striking.

“It’s not just about the rapid scale,” Fitz explains. “The physics, defense methods and damage system are much better. thrill 1 it was mostly about how fast you moved the controller. The engine now takes into account how you turn and defend, and how well you time your shots. This is truly a new level for the genre.”

Improved combat mechanics make hitting someone or getting hit feel significantly better. During the first match against Fitz from his home in Denver, landing a right hook while he was leaning over didn’t feel the same as throwing a straight right. Movement inside the ring has also been greatly improved thanks to two movement modes.

One maintains a room-scale style that allows players to move around their space the way they want, while the stationary style uses the controller’s left stick to move along with a button on the right controller for quick dashes. The new movement style takes some time to get used to, but it’s well suited for VR users who may not have the space for an entire room or who have limited capabilities.

Screenshot from the VR game Thrill of the Fight 2

(Image courtesy of Halfbrick Studios)

More fighters join the fight

Original The thrill of combat It was a single-player game in which players moved up the championship ladder as battles became longer and more difficult. Although the single-player component is in development, the early access period for Thrill of Combat 2 There will be only multiplayer. Players will be able to create or join game lobbies using a numeric code and jump straight into matches.

Whether you were fighting Fitz or Halfbrick Studios founder Shainiel Deo in Brisbane, Australia, lag was not an issue and the game ran at a smooth 120 frames per second. Multiplayer also helps build a solid character. This includes the ability to play as a female fighter, which has been “highly requested” by the community.

“IN thrill 1I got a lot of emails from people saying, ‘I love this game, but as a woman, I just don’t feel comfortable fighting big, tough guys,'” Fitz says. “It was very important to me to have female avatars for female players.” There is also a feature that allows players to ensure that opponents match their gender.

In Early Access, the only thing players can do outside of multiplayer is punch a boxing dummy. The improved AI system will match the new combat mechanics as they have different fighting styles and will be adjusted based on the player’s technique. Smarter opponents force players to adapt and strategize, just like in a real boxing match, Deo said.

“We wanted singles players to feel like they were getting a workout, both mentally and physically,” explains Deo.

Screenshot from the VR game Thrill of the Fight 2

(Image courtesy of Halfbrick Studios)

Feels like you’re in the ring

Compared to other boxing games, audio and visual presentation The thrill of combat didn’t really stand out. The sequel, again running in Unity, manages to take advantage of Meta Quest 3 hardware in meaningful ways.

“Textures, lighting, animation – everything has been improved. We wanted the environment to be tense and gritty, reflecting the true world of boxing,” says Fitz. Dow adds that “it’s very different from the original, and fans will notice that right away.” This is noticeable in the boxing ring in the gym, which is the only one available during Early Access, despite being available both during the day and at night.

The sound is even more immersive with Quest 3’s spatial audio, and you’ll notice how the crowd’s reactions change as the match progresses,” says Fitz. “From applause to gasps, the energy of sound changes depending on how you perform.” And that doesn’t even take into account the licensed soundtrack from Cincinnati composer Mr. Watt.

After the matches with Fitz and Deo (which ended in two losses with very close scores), I got the impression that Thrill of Combat 2 retains the spirit of the original but enhances it with greater realism, customization, and community-focused improvements. Constant development means fans can expect regular updates such as new venues, as well as expanded multiplayer and single-player features.

“We will continue to add new content and listen to what players want,” Deo confirms. “It’s all about keeping the experience fresh and responsive.” Finally, Fitz emphasizes how rewarding it was to create a game that was created directly from fan input: “We love hearing what fans care about and talking through the little details with them. Thrill of Combat 2 The key is to make every shot, every round and every victory feel as real as possible.”

Thrill of Combat 2 The team hopes that gamers, boxing fans, and anyone looking to get in shape will appreciate what the game has to offer. After a few rounds, the game turns into something that can achieve this and more.